Income over $60,000 qualifies as wealthy, says McDonough

Last Updated: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 | 6:43 PM ET

CBC News

NDP officials were scrambling Monday to clarify who their party considers "wealthy" after party leader Alexa McDonough suggested anyone with an income of more than $60,000 is high-income.

"All of our programs, all of our fiscal plans, address in the main how those earning under $60,000 will be impacted," McDonough said in an interview with CTV television.

McDonough said 88 per cent of Canadians earn below $60,000 and those earning more than that level get about half of the income tax breaks and also benefit from breaks on capital gains taxes.

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When it was suggested the NDP's definition of wealth had alienated supporters in the labour movement, many of whom make over $60,000, she instead blamed other parties for offering large tax cuts.

"There has been such a mantra, such a political propaganda notion that you are going to be on your own. Programs and services aren't going to be there for you, so you'd better grab every buck you can," McDonough said.

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After the interview, campaign officials were quick to say the NDP leader did not mean to suggest people earning more than $60,000 are wealthy.

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However, they could not say what income level qualifies someone as rich. They did say people earning more than $60,000 would unfairly benefit from large tax breaks promised in the Liberals' recent mini-budget.